Brandon "Ick" Eich (April 2012)A donation that I made in support of California Proposition 8 four years ago became public knowledge and sparked a firestorm of comments in the last few days, mostly on Twitter.

People in other countries or other U.S. states do not know why “Mozilla” was listed in the donation data. Donors above a certain amount are required by the State of California to disclose their employer. Mozilla had nothing to do with the donation.

I’m not going to discuss Prop 8 here or on Twitter. There is no point in talking with the people who are baiting, ranting, and hurling four-letter abuse. Personal hatred conveyed through curse words is neither rational nor charitable, and strong feelings on any side of an issue do not justify it. In contrast, people expressing non-abusive anger, sadness, or disagreement, I understand, grieve, and humbly accept.

Firefox has been my favorite browser again, ever since Chrome became such a giant memory hog. I read the article, hoping it would be nothing actionable, but I find myself uninstalling Firefox. Not happy about that, at all.

It was his article that pissed me off. Here is a guy reminding us about the importance of diversity. I know about diversity, I am a big supporter of diversity. It's vital to have a variety of opinions around you.

But Prop 8 is not an opinion, nor a way to look at the world. It is the impositions of some people's beliefs on others with the express intent to REDUCE diversity. It's all about excluding, both explicitly in the text, and implicitly in the intent to reduce gay people to second-class citizens.

You can't appeal for tolerance of your intolerant views. You can't claim you deserve your opinion not to matter because diversity, when your opinion is that diversity should be reduced.

Mozilla is a great project, Firefox a great browser, but as long as Eich is CEO, I'll look somewhere else for my computing needs.

Right wing Christians being intolerant of gay marriages is exactly the same as gays who condemn gay couples who have an open relationship. In both cases what those guys are doing has no bearing or effect on anyone's life.

Right wing Christians being intolerant of gay marriages is exactly the same as gays who condemn gay couples who have an open relationship. In both cases what those guys are doing has no bearing or effect on anyone's life.

Distinction being one set's ability to make a cottage industry for themselves and create voter "propositions" and vote masses of politicians into office to try and stop what they don't tolerate from happening.

Right wing Christians being intolerant of gay marriages is exactly the same as gays who condemn gay couples who have an open relationship. In both cases what those guys are doing has no bearing or effect on anyone's life.

Distinction being one set's ability to make a cottage industry for themselves and create voter 'propositions' and vote masses of politicians into office to try and stop what they don't tolerate from happening.

So it's acceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize them as long as you don't try to force them on others? Sorry, but I don't buy that.

I've used Firefox as my main browser for 10 years, until yesterday. I can't support an organization that has such leadership. They have every right to choose whomever they want to lead them, and I have a right to choose my web browser.

May they be content with their choice, I will be content with mine.

(And if you choose not to use Mozilla products, send them a short, calm & friendly note explaining why).

Switching browsers is a little pointless. Eich created JavaScript, as well as other internet related technologies that we all use everyday. Whether you use Chrome or Safari or Internet Explorer, Eich is with you.

xrichx saidSwitching browsers is a little pointless. Eich created JavaScript, as well as other internet related technologies that we all use everyday. Whether you use Chrome or Safari or Internet Explorer, Eich is with you.

If your end game is to eliminate the use of all Eich products then an uninstall is pointless.

However, if you are simply trying to send Mozilla a message about their choice for CEO, an uninstall can be quite powerful if enough people are doing it.

"People in other countries or other U.S. states do not know why “Mozilla” was listed in the donation data. Donors above a certain amount are required by the State of California to disclose their employer. Mozilla had nothing to do with the donation."

It's not true! and even if it were, come on!! You really want Google to own everything? Firefox is a WONDERFUL browser -- the best!!

I am deeply honored and humbled by the CEO role. I'm also grateful for the messages of support. At the same time, I know there are concerns about my commitment to fostering equality and welcome for LGBT individuals at Mozilla. I hope to lay those concerns to rest, first by making a set of commitments to you. More important, I want to lay them to rest by actions and results.

A number of Mozillians, including LGBT individuals and allies, have stepped forward to offer guidance and assistance in this. I cannot thank you enough, and I ask for your ongoing help to make Mozilla a place of equality and welcome for all. Here are my commitments, and here's what you can expect:

Active commitment to equality in everything we do, from employment to events to community-building. Working with LGBT communities and allies, to listen and learn what does and doesn't make Mozilla supportive and welcoming. My ongoing commitment to our Community Participation Guidelines, our inclusive health benefits, our anti-discrimination policies, and the spirit that underlies all of these. My personal commitment to work on new initiatives to reach out to those who feel excluded or who have been marginalized in ways that makes their contributing to Mozilla and to open source difficult. More on this last item below.

I know some will be skeptical about this, and that words alone will not change anything. I can only ask for your support to have the time to "show, not tell"; and in the meantime express my sorrow at having caused pain.

Mozilla is a movement composed of different people around the world, working productively together on a common mission. This is important to our ability to work and grow around the world.

Many Mozillians and others know me as a colleague or a friend. They know that I take people as they come and work with anyone willing to contribute. At the same time, I don't ask for trust free of context, or without a solid structure to support accountability. No leader or person who has a privileged position should. I want to be held accountable for what I do as CEO. I fully expect you all to do so.

I am committed to ensuring that Mozilla is, and will remain, a place that includes and supports everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, economic status, or religion.

You will see exemplary behavior from me toward everyone in our community, no matter who they are; and the same toward all those whom we hope will join, and for those who use our products. Mozilla's inclusive health benefits policies will not regress in any way. And I will not tolerate behavior among community members that violates our Community Participation Guidelines or (for employees) our inclusive and non-discriminatory employment policies.

You'll also see more from Mozilla under my leadership in the way of efforts to include potential contributors, especially those who lack privilege. This entails several projects, starting with Project Ascend, which being developed by Lukas Blakk. I intend to demonstrate with meaningful action my commitment to a Mozilla that lives up to its ideals, including that of being an open and inclusive community.

Right wing Christians being intolerant of gay marriages is exactly the same as gays who condemn gay couples who have an open relationship. In both cases what those guys are doing has no bearing or effect on anyone's life.

Distinction being one set's ability to make a cottage industry for themselves and create voter 'propositions' and vote masses of politicians into office to try and stop what they don't tolerate from happening.

So it's acceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize them as long as you don't try to force them on others? Sorry, but I don't buy that.

It's unacceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize (especially for profit) and then justify them with false equivalencies to non-profitable actions. We can all buy that.

dayumm saidIt's unacceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize (especially for profit) and then justify them with false equivalencies to non-profitable actions.

You're still being slippery and avoiding the fundamental issue. It's correct to say "It's unacceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize them." Adding "especially for profit" and qualifiers about justifying them is not what makes it wrong; the behavior was wrong before you added that excess and irrelevant qualifying baggage.

dayumm saidIt's unacceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize (especially for profit) and then justify them with false equivalencies to non-profitable actions.

You're still being slippery and avoiding the fundamental issue. It's correct to say "It's unacceptable to have bad values and be intolerant and proselytize them." Adding "especially for profit" and qualifiers about justifying them is not what makes it wrong; the behavior was wrong before you added that excess and irrelevant qualifying baggage.

Even without the "baggage" (thus, the word "especially"), it's more relevant than any false equivalency you can conjure. After all, it's a "possible thread derailment" for a reason, n'est-ce pas?

The guys "who condemn gay couples who have an open relationship" do no more than shake their heads and fists and type pointless conjecture on internet boards as their chaps chafe. The "Right wing Christians being intolerant of gay marriages" do that... and a lot more.

If ever there was an irrelevant qualifier in this forum, it's the targeted use of "gay" people against open relationships... as if they're some kind of swing-voter holding "open relationships" in the balance. Now that's what I call "slippery!"

Nations and states aren't banning open relationships because some gay guy has a greater tolerance for lactose than an occasional Ashley Madison highway billboard. Kids aren't bullied in schools because some gay jerk believes they might be having non-monagamous relationships with their crushes. Having a consensual open relationship doesn't allow employers to fire you in more than half the states in the USA. No gay person has successfully used the "open relationship panic defense" in a court of law to justify bashing somebody. There's no gay baker or photographer being sued (or, suing, for their "deeply held belief" rights) after refusing to serve somebody celebrating their open relationship. And there's no gay dogmatic organizations justfying anybody, gay, straight or otherwise, turning their noses at somebody living a consensual open relationship.

Who's the gay/lesbian Scott Lively, Tony Perkins, Phelps family, Pat Robertson, or Maggie Gallagher of anti-open relationships? Who's the intolerant gay person with authority telling people open relationships will lead someday to the destruction of civilization, or men marrying bee colonies? Is there some "Gays and Lesbians Against Under-Committed Marriages in America (GLAUCOMA)" or something that remotely parallels the Family Policy Council, the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Liberty Counsel, MassResistance, NOM, etc., etc.? Where's these gay people using millions of dollars to push "Prop 69"s on the ballot that define "relationships" as "one person and some other person"?

Because if all we're railing about, this so-called "fundamental issue" (without the "funda" part, apparently) is The Dude Folding Pleated Khakis at the GAP in West Hollywood thumbing his nose at some happy swingers on an electronic forum somewhere, well, we've got ourselves an effort to make a pebble equal a globe, just because they're both round!

I am deeply honored and humbled by the CEO role. I'm also grateful for the messages of support. At the same time, I know there are concerns about my commitment to fostering equality and welcome for LGBT individuals at Mozilla. I hope to lay those concerns to rest, first by making a set of commitments to you. More important, I want to lay them to rest by actions and results.

A number of Mozillians, including LGBT individuals and allies, have stepped forward to offer guidance and assistance in this. I cannot thank you enough, and I ask for your ongoing help to make Mozilla a place of equality and welcome for all. Here are my commitments, and here's what you can expect:

Active commitment to equality in everything we do, from employment to events to community-building. Working with LGBT communities and allies, to listen and learn what does and doesn't make Mozilla supportive and welcoming. My ongoing commitment to our Community Participation Guidelines, our inclusive health benefits, our anti-discrimination policies, and the spirit that underlies all of these. My personal commitment to work on new initiatives to reach out to those who feel excluded or who have been marginalized in ways that makes their contributing to Mozilla and to open source difficult. More on this last item below.

I know some will be skeptical about this, and that words alone will not change anything. I can only ask for your support to have the time to "show, not tell"; and in the meantime express my sorrow at having caused pain.

Mozilla is a movement composed of different people around the world, working productively together on a common mission. This is important to our ability to work and grow around the world.

Many Mozillians and others know me as a colleague or a friend. They know that I take people as they come and work with anyone willing to contribute. At the same time, I don't ask for trust free of context, or without a solid structure to support accountability. No leader or person who has a privileged position should. I want to be held accountable for what I do as CEO. I fully expect you all to do so.

I am committed to ensuring that Mozilla is, and will remain, a place that includes and supports everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, economic status, or religion.

You will see exemplary behavior from me toward everyone in our community, no matter who they are; and the same toward all those whom we hope will join, and for those who use our products. Mozilla's inclusive health benefits policies will not regress in any way. And I will not tolerate behavior among community members that violates our Community Participation Guidelines or (for employees) our inclusive and non-discriminatory employment policies.

You'll also see more from Mozilla under my leadership in the way of efforts to include potential contributors, especially those who lack privilege. This entails several projects, starting with Project Ascend, which being developed by Lukas Blakk. I intend to demonstrate with meaningful action my commitment to a Mozilla that lives up to its ideals, including that of being an open and inclusive community.

Very well ghost-written, Mr. Eich! You could've used this attitude on your blogs!

xrichx saidSwitching browsers is a little pointless. Eich created JavaScript, as well as other internet related technologies that we all use everyday. Whether you use Chrome or Safari or Internet Explorer, Eich is with you.

If your end game is to eliminate the use of all Eich products then an uninstall is pointless.

However, if you are simply trying to send Mozilla a message about their choice for CEO, an uninstall can be quite powerful if enough people are doing it.

^THAT.

Never mind ALL Eich products, though. I tried to remove just "Mozilla" stuff from my computers, and got a huge run-around trying to do that. Thanks, Microsoft!

dayumm saidVery well ghost-written, Mr. Eich! You could've used this attitude on your blogs!

Yes, a nice example of corporate damage control PR. And it doesn't say if Eich will still be personally contributing to anti-gay civil rights activities, just that he'll not discontinue inclusive corporate policies already in place before he took over at Mozilla.